Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Plenty of Trucking Jobs on the Open Road

The current economy has affected a lot of different areas. Although job opportunities remain in high demand in the trucking industry. There is a current driver shortage that is estimated to be between 35,000 to 40,000 nationwide, according to a 2015 report released by the ATA (American Truckers Association).

One of the main problems as to why there are so many open jobs is due to lower wages offered for CDL driving jobs. The demand is there, although many companies have been unable to meet the needs of its drivers. Not every hour of the day is spent on the open road as drivers are not always compensated for the hours they spend sitting in traffic jams, scaling a load or performing circle checks. That does not mean all trucking companies do not provide adequate compensation to its drivers.

According to the US Board of Labor Statistics, the top 10% of U.S. truck drivers earn more than $58,000 per year. The key for drivers may just lie in finding the right company.

The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities for truck driver jobs. Some drivers are able to acquire jobs even before they graduate from their respective training programs. However, the problem with a lot of the younger generation is that trucking is not among the most popular careers. A recent study conducted by CNBC News showed that the top seven career choices among 18-24 year olds are in the fields of technology, energy, health care, communications, manufacturing, financial services and retail.

Meanwhile, many people in those aforementioned fields are underpaid and overworked, especially when they begin at an entry level position. Jumping into the trucking industry offers ample opportunity to earn a steady income. Pay varies by state, ranging from $40,000 to $68,000 per year in salary. Hawaii and Alaska are at the bottom of that range while Mississippi came out on top.

Job turnover remains high and while there are plenty of reasons for that turnover, it also means more opportunities for drivers. There also looks to be more and more job opportunities open in the future as estimates continue to project more and more job openings.

If you are looking for a career in the trucking industry, T G Stegall Trucking Co. can provide you with an ideal opportunity. Combining excellent pay, benefits and scheduling, there is a bright future on the open road paved with possibility.